By Robbie Colson-Ramsey, Contributing Writer

I remember traveling with my mother to my first General Conference in 2000, where Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie was elected the church’s first female Bishop.

As a child, I was in complete awe of the pageantry of the church and great fascination with the stories of Sarah Allen, and the Four Horseman of African Methodism. Therefore, I would gladly proclaim I am a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Almost 20 years later, and attending my third General Conference, I am still excited for the church of Sarah and Richard Allen as we sit on the threshold of change.  The global pandemic, some would say, shoved the church in a different direction, allowing us to realize the church is leaving its beautiful four walls and hitting the streets to change their communities.  This pandemic made many understand that Sunday worship is only a tiny portion of what the church does.  Did the General Conference allow episcopal districts and church ministries to show how they have shifted amid a storm?  Like other large denominations, we, too, are transforming the community around us.  

I struggled to see if it was in the church’s best interest to have General Conference in one of the early hotbeds of the pandemic; my concern was for my mothers and fathers of our aging church. Although,  I had to believe in my heart of hearts that the church I had a love affair with since a child would secure my safety amid a worldwide pandemic. I can say without a doubt that at all times while attending the  2021 General Conference, I felt safe, and the church did a good job maintaining our safety.  Even when the sparks overtook a small portion of the ceiling in the main ballroom, Bishop Vashti McKenzie quickly control the environment.

The staff of the General Conference was outstanding if, at any time they were unaware of an answer or a location, they work very hard to find the solution. However, we would love to have more signage to help the crowd’s movement.  The music ministry must be applauded for singing with angelic voices every worship service, ushering the presence of the Lord into the convention hall. 

Although the world is in the midst global health crisis and unable to welcome our brothers and sisters from Africa, the General Conference was held.  The fact that amid the chaos of assignments, worshipping virtually, revisions of church legislation, being off schedule, emergency recesses, and reports from the Episcopal Committee, we celebrate as Charles Wesley proclaims, “And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face?”